June 19, 2008, 9:40AM

BATTLE CREEK -- Jim Hettinger, the longtime leader of economic development agency Battle Creek Unlimited, will retire in December. The 59-year-old's decision was announced June 12 during a meeting of the group's board of directors. Full story »

October 20, 2008, 10:19AM

May 13, 2009, 11:59AM

Battle Creek, Michigan, is preparing for its 53rd Annual Armed Forces Day Observance on Friday, May 15, and it is as relevant today as it was when the event was established 60 years ago by then Secretary of Defense Louis Johnson, in 1949. Full story »

May 26, 2009, 11:00AM

May 26, 2009, 11:00AM

August 19, 2009, 7:37AM

Danielle Boykins (center), 15, of Kalamazoo maneuvers her way down the wall of an obstacle course at Fort Custer with a barrel Tuesday. The obstacle course is a team building exercise for the girls attending Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety's Youth Leadership Academy. (Tanner Curtis / Kalamazoo Gazette)

August 19, 2009, 7:37AM

Kateleen Miado, 14, of Parchment climbs up a wall Tuesday in an obstacle course as part of the Kalamazoo Department of Safety's Youth Leadership Academy. The obstacle course, at Fort Custer, is a team building exercise for the girls. Miado's teammates called her "Spiderella" because of her ability to climb the walls so quickly. (Tanner Curtis / Kalamazoo Gazette)

August 19, 2009, 7:37AM

Kateleen Miado, 14, of Parchment celebrates after her team successfully moved a barrel over a wall in an obstacle course at Fort Custer Tuesday. The obstacle course is a team building exercise for the girls attending Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety's Youth Leadership Academy. (Tanner Curtis / Kalamazoo Gazette)

August 19, 2009, 7:37AM

Cheyanne Kalman, 16, of Schoolcraft, Kennedie Thomas, 13, Nikkole Hegler, 16, Shianna Scott, 12, and Amanda Halsey, 16, all of Kalamazoo attempt to lay a wooden board across the gravel to use as a bridge in an obstacle course at Fort Custer Tuesday. The obstacle course is part of Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety's Youth Leadership Academy. The girl later...

August 19, 2009, 7:37AM

Janae Wesley, 15, of Kalamazoo loosens a knot before climbing down the wall of an obstacle course at Fort Custer Tuesday. The obstacle course is a team building exercise that is part of Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety's Youth Leadership Academy. Wesley pulled the rope with her after making it down the wall. (Tanner Curtis / Kalamazoo Gazette)

May 26, 2013, 6:05PM

Veterans, area dignitaries and residents were on hand for the 27th annual event, which also featured patriotic music, laying of the wreaths, a ride-through by the Patriot Guard Riders and a military flyover. Full story »